FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will return to action, and Rodrigo De Paul will make his debut as Inter Miami hosts Mexican club Atlas in their 2025 Leagues Cup tournament opener on Wednesday, July 30.
Messi and Alba are expected to play in their first match following their one-game suspensions for skipping the MLS All-Star Game.
Meanwhile, De Paul will make his debut after signing with the club last week, and receiving clearances on his P1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate on Wednesday, July 30. De Paul is one of Messi’s closest friends from the Argentine national team. They won the World Cup together in 2022, and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.
Inter Miami begins play in the Leagues Cup, a tournament featuring Major League Soccer teams and LIGA MX clubs from Mexico. Inter Miami won the 2023 Leagues Cup, shortly after Messi’s arrival.
Here’s everything you need to know about Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match:
Inter Miami 1, Atlas 0: Segovia scores goal on Messi assist
Sergio Busquets found Lionel Messi sneaking behind the defense, and Messi dropped off a pass to Telasco Segovia as the Atlas goalie narrowed in on him.
Goal, Segovia. It’s 1-0 Inter Miami in the 58th minute.
Busquets found himself with possession after Messi swung and missed on a shot that hit a defender. When Messi saw Busquets with the ball, he pointed toward the penalty area for Busquets to pass it. Segovia patiently delivered the finish.
Inter Miami 0, Atlas 0: Halftime update
- Luis Suarez hit the crossbar on the final play of a scoreless first half that was feisty between both sides.
- Messi was gut-checked by Atlas’ Sergio Hernández in the 6th minute, setting the early tone.
- Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano and Atlas coach Gonzalo Pineda were arguing face to face with each other in the 35th minute as strong contests led to testy moments between both teams.
- Messi fired a shot in the 44th minute directly into a defender, as Inter Miami had just one shot on goal in the first half.
Inter Miami 0, Atlas 0: Goalie Rocco Rios-Novo has stellar save
Inter Miami 0, Atlas 0: Tadeo Allende misses shot on goal
Inter Miami 0, Atlas 0: Jordi Alba offside after pass from Messi
Is Messi playing tonight?
Yes, Messi is playing tonight. Rodrigo De Paul will also start in his Inter Miami debut.
Inter Miami starting lineup vs. Atlas
What time does Inter Miami vs. Atlas match begin?
The match begins 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina).
How to watch Inter Miami vs. Atlas live stream link?
The match will be available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
Watch Leagues Cup games on MLS Season Pass
Messi has another busy week with time off
Messi should be refreshed after his All-Star Game absence on July 23, and his suspension in Inter Miami’s scoreless draw with FC Cincinnati on July 26. Messi and his wife were on the Coldplay kiss cam during a Miami concert on July 27.
“Let’s hope he’s super motivated,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said of Messi, adding the suspension had a “silver lining” of “mandatory rest after many consecutive games.”
“I think, in a way, the break was good for him. And well, to start this new marathon of games we’re going to have ahead of us with the Leagues Cup and then the MLS, it’s good for him to be a little fresher.”
Inter Miami vs. Atlas prediction
Inter Miami 4, Atlas 1: Lionel Messi scores two goals and assists another in a dominant return to action after his All-Star Game suspension. — Safid Deen
Inter Miami vs. Atlas betting odds
Here are the betting odds, according to BetMGM.
- Inter Miami: -300
- Draw: +400
- Atlas: +525
- Over/under: 3.5
Inter Miami upcoming schedule
- Aug. 2: Inter Miami vs. Necaxa, 7 p.m. ET (Leagues Cup)
- Aug. 6: Inter Miami vs. Pumas, 7:30 p.m. ET (Leagues Cup)
- Aug. 10: Orlando City vs. Inter Miami, 8 p.m. (MLS regular season)
- Aug. 16: Inter Miami vs. LA Galaxy, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
- Aug. 23: D.C. United vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!